Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet

Pantano-Salsbury – Hit the Switch – 1977

This album appears to be Ron Salsbury And J.C. Power Outlet without David Edwards. I’m a little unsure how this came about as David was still working with Ron & John on other projects so I don’t think there was any great drama here. Now to be clear this was a Solid Rock/Larry Norman project so who knows when it was actually recorded but I think it’s a good guess in was recorded in 76 or 77. You can definitely feel Larry’s influence on the album especially on “I’m Just A Record” which has Larry written all over it. As was typical for Solid Rock in this time period Tom Howard and Randy Stonehill appear on the album. The album has a seventies feel and I actually really liked it especially “I’m Just A Record”. In typical Larry fashion Side 1 of the album is labelled “Rock” and Side 2 “and Roll.” In 2023 Randy Layton over at Alternative Records re-released this album with a ton of bonus material, and I mean a ton. Depending on when you read this we have already uploaded it or plan to (Dec 2025).

Tracklist
1 – I’m Just A Record – 4:18
2 – Soul Seeker – 6:17
3 – Hold On – 5:37
4 – I Need You – 4:06
5 – People Tend To Forget – 4:50
6 – Lover Of My Soul – 3:39
7 – Magic Of The Moonlight – 5:47
8 – To Be Near You – 4:30
9 – I Don’t Wanna Wander – 5:48

Credits
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – Tom Howard
Backing Vocals [Background] – John Pantano, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, Ron Salsbury, Tom Howard
Bass – David Coy
Drums, Percussion – Peter Johnson
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Tom Howard
Engineer – Stewart Whitmore
Graphics [Graphic Production] – Liza McDonald
Management [Coorespondence], Booking [Concert Representation] – Street Level Artists Agency
Percussion – Bruce Neal
Photography By, Design [Album Etc.] – Larry Norman
Piano – Jeffrey David Hooven
Producer [Produced By], Arranged By – Larry Norman
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Ron Salsbury
Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica – John Pantano

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Solid Rock Records
Copyright © – Solid Rock Records
Copyright © – King Of Hearts Publishing
Copyright © – Strawbed Music
Produced For – Solid Rock Productions, Inc.
Distributed By – Jubilation Group
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Recorded At – Solid Rock Recording Studios
Mastered At – ABC Recording Studios

Ron Salsbury And J.C. Power Outlet – Forgiven – 1974

Jesus Music was in dire need of a rock and roll band. In 1972 Myrrh released the self-titles debut album from JC Power Outlet to mixed reviews. The Devil’s music in your Christian bookstore! Two years later the follow up come out and it was better produced and, in some way, quite a bit harder edged. Bookstores still weren’t ready. The driving force behind JC Power Outlet was Ron Salsbury and he provided a formula of rocker followed by balled followed by rocker throughout each project. This second and final release for the group made a huge impact on the Jesus Music world as they finally had a legit rock band to go with the folk and pop groups like Love Song, Jamie Owens and Honeytree. Nothing earth shattering lyrically here as this is vintage Jesus Music evangelism and rapture ready warnings. But it’s very important to remember that these artists were also walking a very fine line of acceptance within their own churches and making bold proclamations of faith were all but necessary for their own survival and support. Forgiven was a game changer from the very creative artwork to the more consistent “rock” sound for the day, especially landing on a more mainstream Christian label. Here again we have an album that is both good and important to the growth and expansion of the Christian Music industry.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com

Tracklist
1 – Peace and Power – 3:17
2 – Oh My Jesus – 2:54
3 – Too Bad – 2:54
4 – My Friend – 2:49
5 – I Choose to Follow You – 5:29
6 – Give Him Your Love – 2:15
7 – Goodbye – 4:07
8 – My Sign – 3:32
9 – Don’t Let Jesus Pass You By – 3:24
10 – Open Your Spiritual Eyes – 3:35

Credits
Arranged By, Producer [Produced By] – Darrell Rodman
Band [J.C. Power Outlet] – Bruce Neal, Dave Edwards, John Pantano, Ron Salsbury
Composed By – Ron Salsbury
Cover, Design Concept – Ron Salsbury
Engineer – Dan Holmes
Lacquer Cut By – Eck
Photography By – Bill Grine
Photography By [Backliner] – Jennifer Salsbury

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word Music, Inc.
Engineered At – Audiotek Studios, Minneapolis

Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet – Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet – 1972

This is the first of two albums by Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet. The second one is the one most people know about but this is where it started. Ron Salsbury And The J.C. Power Outlet were one one of the first bands signed to the new Myrrh records. Most of the early Myrhh bands leaned to the easy listening style but these guys were a straight up Rock & Roll band. The album has the standard seventies Jesus Music album structure. Some great rock tunes, a couple ballads, and the mandatory country song, but these guys did it well. Here’s the real trivia about this album. Playing harmonica was Dave Edwards who would later become known to us as David Edwards the New Wave CCM pioneer.

Tracklist
1 – Suddenly – 3:35
2 – Back Home – 4:08
3 – Long Time Comin’ – 3:50
4 – Love Song – 4:03
5 – Denominations – 2:43
6 – Nick Of Time – 2:19
7 – Don’t Shine It On – 4:10
8 – Lord It’s In Your Hands – 3:55
9 – Satisfied – 4:50
10 – Real Peace – 4:35

Credits
Bass Guitar – Greg Prough
Drums, Percussion – Rick Frye
Engineer – Paul Elmore
Fiddle – Richie Yenoukian
Harmonica – Dave Edwards
Keyboards – Steve Kennedy
Lead Guitar – John Pantano
Lead Vocals – Ron Salsbury
Photography By [Cover Photo] – Eric Skipsey
Producer – Billy Ray Hearn
Rhythm Guitar – Ron Salsbury
Trombone – Bid Wallace
Vocals – Greg Prough, John Pantano

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc. – 1972
Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles